After graduating six women, including five starters, from last year’s team, it seems University of Maine field hockey coach Terry Kix should be concerned about the prospects for the 1999 season.

After all, those departed seniors scored 29 of the 41 goals the Black Bears put on the board last year. They led the team to three appearances in the America East tournament during their careers. They helped Maine achieve its highest ever national ranking, No. 16, during the 1998 regular season. And Kix is calling this year’s schedule the toughest her team has faced during her nine years at Maine.

But if Kix and her charges feel any anxiety, it wasn’t apparent as they completed another preseason practice session Tuesday at Morse Field. Kix said she is especially excited about the way her 11 first-year players are gelling with her veterans in the buildup to Saturday’s season opener at the University of Iowa.

“We have tremendous potential and athleticism,” she said. “It’s important to progress and be patient. It will take time to blend our talents.”

Top returnees include senior right back Brianna Banks of Northampton, Pa., who started all 18 games last year. Banks said the veterans are still smarting from missing last year’s America East tournament, and they are working hard to instill in the rookies the desire to make it back.

“That’s the big goal – getting into the tournament. And we want to have it here (Morse Field). The top seed is the host,” Banks said.

The top four teams in the conference qualify for the tournament. Maine was fifth last year.

So far, Kix said the newcomers have contributed a spark to the practice sessions. She said she plans to start two freshmen, Kristy Ferran of Winslow and Jen Johnstone of Dallas, Pa. Two other rookies, Skowhegan natives Tara Bedard and Kim Leo, are also challenging for starting jobs.

“This freshman class is the most talented group we’ve had since I’ve been here. They have tons of athleticism and are extremely coachable. The potential is unlimited,” Kix said.

Junior left midfielder Steph Chakmakian agreed.

“(They) have a lot of speed, and skill. And a lot of feistiness,” she said.

Kix said junior Danielle Burke of Canaan will take over in goal. She had been a backup for All-Conference selection Cindy Botett, who started 16 games last year.

Burke appeared in just three games in 1998.

“She has worked very hard and developed her game. She just lacks game experience, and decision-making under pressure,” said Kix.

Banks (1 goal, 6 assists) and Kristi Knights of South Portland (6 goals, 1 assist) are the top returning scorers. Junior Noriko Kariya had one goal and five assists last year.

Kix said Kariya, Chakmakian and Catherine Henrick – all projected starters – are fighting nagging injuries but should be ready for the weekend games in Iowa. The Black Bears face the Hawkeyes Saturday and Ohio University Sunday.

Maine was picked to finish fifth in the America East preseason poll, trailing Boston University, Northeastern, New Hampshire and Delaware. Boston University returns 10 of 11 starters, and Northeastern and New Hampshire both appeared in last year’s NCAA tournament.

Kix said the conference is particularly strong this year and is impressed that the Black Bears were ranked so high even after graduating so many key players.

“It shows conference opponents have respect for our program,” she said.

Besides the tough conference schedule, Maine has early season matchups against perennial national powers Iowa, Syracuse and James Madison. The Black Bears host Syracuse on Sunday, Sept. 12, and James Madison on Monday, Sept. 20.

The schedule

AUGUST 28 at Iowa, 1 p.m. 29 vs. Ohio University at Iowa, 12 p.m. SEPTEMBER

1 Sacred Heart, 1 p.m.

3 Fairfield, 7 p.m.

5 Southwest Missouri, 2 p.m. 10 Dartmouth, 3 p.m. 12 Syracuse, 1 p.m. 15 vs. Rhode Island at Cape Elizabeth, 3:30 p.m. 18 Boston University, 1 p.m. 20 James Madison, 12 p.m. 24 at Hofstra, 7 p.m. 26 at Drexel, 1 p.m. OCTOBER

3 Vermont, 12 p.m. 10 vs. Colgate at Boston College, 1 p.m. 12 at Holy Cross, 12 p.m. 16 at Northeastern, 5 p.m. 20 at Providence, 2:30 p.m. 23 at New Hampshire, 1 p.m. 29 Towson, 3 p.m. 31 Delaware, 12 p.m. NOVEMBER 5-7 America East Tournament, at highest seeds with artificial turf